By forging strategic alliances, leveraging industry expertise and demonstrating operational excellence through its commitment to innovation and sustainability, turnkey opencast mining contractor TAU Mining has positioned itself favourably for continued success in 2024 and beyond. 

With more than 20 years of combined expertise, the contribution of the team can also not be underestimated when considering the sustained success of the company in 2023, says TAU Mining CEO Mikhail Makhnach.

“In November 2022, we secured a five-year mine operation contract with Vedanta Zinc International in South Africa. TAU Mining delivered and commissioned the first portion of the equipment in December 2022, despite the contract only being signed a month prior. Drilling and blasting operations, as well as the seamless movement of the first volumes, were also started in the same month. The company continued the positive trend during its ramp-up period and achieved 125% of planned volumes in August 2023.”

Having reached significant heights in contract mining, TAU Mining has adopted a new strategy for risk diversification and development going forward.

Companies active in South Africa’s mining industry face complex challenges amid vast mineral wealth, and the financial pressure of global price declines and rising labour and energy costs, highlights Makhnach. 

“Government expectations compound challenges, requiring companies to address societal needs with undefined expectations. Local communities seek employment, skills development, education and healthcare facilities, contributing to challenges and potential reputational damage. The over-arching challenge is to strike a balance between productive mining, profitability 

and fairness to foreign investors, host States and local communities. Strategic planning becomes crucial in navigating this intricate landscape on both local and global fronts,” he elaborates.

Considering its updated strategy aimed at risk diversification, TAU Mining has ambitious goals and objectives for 2024 and subsequent years. The company is in negotiations with several companies to start new mining projects to use its entire existing fleet of equipment and support its continued expansion. 

“In addition, we are currently negotiating photovoltaic plant construction projects and are targeting other new activities in 2024,” says Makhnach.

TAU Mining is committed to delivering a comprehensive opencut mining contracting service. Its extensive expertise covers short-term waste mining to comprehensive, long-term mining solutions, including plann-ing, production scheduling, surveying, equipment rental with maintenance sup-port, drill and blast functions, load, haul and dump functions, pit services, theoretical and practical training for operators, and specialised advanced training. 

“Supported by robust financial backing from shareholders, we possess the agility to swiftly mobilise and deploy the necessary resources, ensuring effective contributions to greenfield projects and established mines, thereby facilitating the achievement of our strategic objectives,” advances Makhnach.

A Growth Story

Founded in the 1990s as a private consulting firm that offered mining services, TAU Mining grew to partner with major mining players such as BHP Billiton and Anglo American in the early 2000s.

Over time, TAU Mining acquired more equipment and expanded its portfolio, which enabled the company to undertake larger and more complex projects, says Makhnach. 

By 2009, TAU Mining started providing a full range of mining operations and imple-menting large-scale projects.

“Since its inception, TAU Mining has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to dynamic market conditions, as evidenced by its evolutionary trajectory. The company’s evolution is a testament to its strategic flexibility, as well as its agility in responding to market dynamics and embracing technological advancements. The combination of these factors has positioned TAU Mining as a forward-thinking and resilient entity within the mining sector,” states Makhnach.

The company has achieved significant success throughout its operational history as a mining contractor, notably through the successful execution of diverse projects for reputable clients, which include South32 and Seriti. 

TAU Mining’s ability to build long-term relationships with these clients demonstrates its reliability and professionalism. While having worked with Anglo American for more than 18 years, showcasing its ability to load and haul in challenging conditions, the company has also successfully executed a greenfield project with South32, confirming its capability to deliver full-scope mining services, adds Makhnach.

Consequently, TAU Mining’s inclusive team boasts a wealth of experience and has had the opportunity to work with different resources and in varying conditions, enriching the company’s and its employees’ experience.

“We are dedicated to consistently augmenting our team’s proficiency by cultivating daily efforts and establishing robust relationships with original-equipment manufacturers. This strategic approach ensures that our teams are thoroughly equipped with the requisite knowledge for optimal performance.

“Additionally, our forward-looking perspective anticipates an array of up-coming projects, contributing further to the refinement of our team’s skills and know-ledge base. This amalgamation of seasoned expertise uniquely positions TAU Mining as a premier opencast mining contractor in the sub-Saharan African region,” states Makhnach.

Creating a Sustainable Legacy 

While mining plays a crucial role in South Africa, providing essential raw materials and resources that drive economic growth and technological advancement, it is equally important for the mining industry to take a holistic approach to environmental and social responsibility. 

Sustainable mining companies recognise that optimising environmental performance and social impact is not only a matter of ethics or regulatory compliance; it is also a sound business strategy, emphasises Makhnach.

“One of the biggest challenges facing the mining industry is balancing the need for minerals and metals with safety, productivity and responsible land, energy and water use. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for these resources will only increase, making it imperative that the industry finds sustainable solutions.”

Mining is part of people’s lives, and they expect the industry to make a positive contribution to socio-economic development in a sustainable way, he highlights. 

“This means reducing our environmental footprint and supporting biodiversity while promoting economic growth and social progress. At our company, we are committed to creating value for our shareholders, employees and the communities in which we operate. We have a deliberate, conscious strategy that prioritises respect for and the preservation of the environment.”

Committed to South Africa’s broad-based black economic empowerment and localisation strategies that promote collaboration between businesses and local communities, TAU Mining provides employment opportunities, skills transfer and personal growth within a safe environment.

Phone:  +27 10 753 2018

E-mail:  mail@taumining.co.za

Website:  https://taumining.co.za/